At least the Rams know who they will have at QB

Published 4:00 am, Sunday, October 6, 1996

ST. LOUIS - While the 49ers' quarterback situation was muddled late in the week when Elvis Grbac experienced back spasms, the Rams are clear on their starter now and for the future.

Rookie Tony Banks had a rocky introduction to the NFL on Sept. 8 at Candlestick when the Rams threw him into the game at his own 1-yard line. He completed six of 17 passes for 69 yards in a 34-0 loss.

But last week, in a 31-28 overtime loss to Arizona, Banks tossed three touchdown passes in displaying a strong and accurate arm. The Rams drafted him on the second round from Michigan State as their quarterback of the future. And the future is now.

"The way I approached the season, I expected to be the starter sometime this season, but I didn't know when," Banks said. "The situation was ideal for me coming in. I had older guys to learn from. It'll be nice to prepare for this game like a starter. Hopefully, we'll play a lot better than we did the last time."

In Sunday's game with the 49ers, Banks will be looking to throw to Isaac Bruce and Eddie Kennison, who between them have 29 receptions and three touchdowns. At 6-feet-4 and 220 pounds, Banks can stand in the pocket and fling 'em.

"My strength is getting the ball down the field," he said. "This isn't the typical rookie quarterback situation. Most rookies, if they're starting, they've almost got to be the savior. That puts a lot of pressure on them. In this situation, we have a lot of good backs, we have some good receivers and a great defense."

DOZEN AND COUNTING: The 49ers have a string of 12 straight victories over the Rams, dating to a 1990 game in Anaheim. Remarking on this, Rams coach Rich Brooks said, "It didn't work in Anaheim, it didn't work at Candlestick, it didn't work at 3Com, it didn't work at Busch. Maybe the tooth fairy will make it work in the Trans World Dome."

ETC: Former 49er Antonio Goss is now making his living as a special-teams player for the Rams. He blocked the first punt of his career in the season opener against Cincinnati, three days after the 49ers waived him. . . . Why the Rams are 1-3: They are 30th in the league in total offense (can't go any lower) and 26th in total defense. . . . This will be the 49ers' first game in the TWA Dome and thus an opportunity to defeat the Rams in their fourth home facility. The others: the Los Angeles Coliseum, Anaheim Stadium and Busch Stadium. . . . George Seifert is two wins away from 100 for his career and four away from tying Bill Walsh's figure of 102.&lt;